History

Speculator / Lake Pleasant area you can use one word to
sum up. “Charming”

This little
southern Adirondack town is unique in its ability to balance
modern amenities with nature and beauty. Speculator is the only incorporated village in Hamilton
County. It lies completely in the town lines of Lake
Pleasant, Hamilton County’s Seat, and on the shores of the
lake, Lake Pleasant. Speculator and Lake Pleasant have
history at almost every stop along route 30 and route 8. In
the 1920s Speculator was a famous boxing town with
Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Gene Tunney training at the
Osbourne Inn. Gene trained in Speculator for 3 of his
championship bouts from 1926-1928, including 2 against Jack
Dempsey. Gene training in Speculator also brought other
famous boxers to train in the area too. These include Hall
of Famers Max Schmeling and Max Baer among others.

Loius Seymour “French Louie” was also from the area.
French Louie was a well known Adirondack hermit and guide,
He was also known for his partying ways when he would come
into town to sell his furs. It is often said he would come
in sell his furs and be broke by time he left town again.
“French Louie’s” grave stone is located behind “Charlie
Johns” Grocery store in the village and is visited by
hundreds of people a year. Some of these people leave gifts
for Louie. From traps and French coins to French flags and
whisky bottles. You can read more about this Adirondack
woodsman in Adirondack French Louie: Early Life in the
North Woods written by Harvey L Dunham.

Besides the history. Speculator / Lake Pleasant also has
many amenities such as fine dining with over half a dozen
restaurants you are never short on selection. And it has a
wonderful town square style park, with the public beach
across the road, a picnic pavilion, a soft ball field,
basketball courts, and a small playground for children. Next
to the pavilion is a public use brick barbeque pit. Behind
the soft ball field is a well maintained handicap accessible
nature path. With a built up boardwalk over the marshy
sections and signs posted along the trail explaining the
foliage. This walk will lead you down to the edges of the
Sacandaga river where it leaves Lake Pleasant, and gives a
stunning view (especially in the fall).

If nature is what you are looking for, this is the place
for you. You can choose from fishing for the many fish in
this area (Pickerel, Perch, Trout…) to Bird watching
(Osprey, Loons, Geese…) to watching for the deer, bear and
moose that frequently travel through the area. Where the
Sacandaga river leaves Lake Pleasant, it is slow and
meandering, it creates a great area to canoe and kayak. 1 ½
miles down river the Kunjamuck river empties into the
Sacandaga. You can paddle 4 to 4 ½ miles up the Kumjamuck
which would give you a good day on the water.

With all this don’t forget how popular this little
village and town can be in the winter. With access from
Speculator to thousand of miles of snowmobile trails,
heading north, south, east, and west. A ski mountain right
in town, Oak mountain is updated with lights that offer a
fantastic view when lit up at night. The lake is a great ice
fishing spot as well, with an almost guarantee, to catch
fish every day.

There is so much more to do in the area I can’t put it
all here. Take the time to explore a true Adirondack gem,
like everyone else you won’t be disappointed.

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